Q:
I
want to buy my first house. Where do I
begin?
A: You probably have many questions.
"How much downpayment do I need?"
"Can I get a loan?" "Is there
a house out there that will fit my
budget?" "What do I do
first?" A real estate agent is a
licensed professional who is trained to
answer your questions or help you find the
answers. There is no obligation. Real Estate
agents will be happy to sit down with you
and get you the answers you need. There is
no cost for this service.
Q:
Should
I just look around on my own?
A: You may find that looking on your own is
very frustrating. Ads on homes highlight
only the positive aspects of a property. You
may see a sign on a great looking place.
After several phone calls and a visit to the
home, you find out it only has wood heat.
Not a good match for you. A real estate
agent can smooth out this process for you.
The agent knows the homes and land. With the
Multiple Listing Service, the agent has
access to very detailed descriptions of each
property and can search on those details.
Imagine telling your agent - "I want to
see homes with a spectacular view, a
greenhouse, at least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths,
central heat, and a woodstove too." and
seeing homes like that!
Q.
I'm
not quite sure we are ready to buy yet.
A: The decision to buy is a big one. You
wonder if you are ready financially. A Real
Estate agent can show you the different
types of lenders who can sit down with you
and determine your particular situation. You
may be thinking about the responsibility of
a home. In addition, there are many
advantages to home ownership. Contact an
agent with questions about your concerns.
Q:
How
do I choose a good agent?
A: Finding a good real estate agent is like
finding a good doctor or day care. Ask
people you know to make a recommendation.
Talk to those who have used their services.
Were they happy? Did the agent solve
problems? Was the agent easy to talk to? Did
the agent keep the client informed about
what was happening throughout the
transaction? In general, did they feel
confidence in and would recommend the agent?
Check the agent's references. The license
may be verified with your state department
of real estate.
Interview the agent and see how you like him
or her. Ask about their experience,
education and special areas of interest.
What services do they offer and what do they
expect from you? Inquire about the steps in
the process.
Q:
Is
it really true that I can buy a house with
no money down?
A: Yes!! There are
a number of loans for buyers with no down
payment. You do not have to be a veteran to
take advantage of many different financing
programs with little or no money down.
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